Are you for real?
1st. Ultra-runners don't get much publicity because there is not the marketing demand for this type of sport like there is for other running sports like major marathons or collegiate events. There is no financial support. If ultra-running drew big numbers, people would whore it out too. Make no mistake.
2nd. Have you ever run an ultra? I'm talking a real ultra, not a 50k. I have... and it takes a tremendous amount of training, pain, and sacrifice to meet that challenge. Few people will ever run a 5 mile run in 25 mins, but anyone that has the intestinal fortitude can train for a 50mile run. That is the difference between genetics and perseverance.
3rd. Do your homework loudmouth. Dean is short, stocky, and and carries muscle at that. The Kenyans, as are many Africans, are at a biomechanical advantage over the greeks and muts of America. They have longer Achilles tendons, they are lighter than Dean, have a greater lactate threshold, higher Max V02's, and are proportionally superior in their long bones to almost all other runners. Anyone who runs >30 miles a week will have a resting HR of 40, but few can run a 2hour marathon. That is training-vs-genetics. No matter the country they represent...the Africans hold more running Medals than any other race. That is genetic advantage while Dean is rock solid fortitude. Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs were bred for distance and to fight lions. You would not take a Collie to fight lions, but if you train them, they too can run the distance of the Ridgeback dogs. Different breeds of the same species. The Africans are a different breed of our species, but nothing can affect a runner like pain tolerance and grit.
4th. Dean runs for many acts of charity and service. Do you donate the earnings of your 200mile runs to charity?
Who cares if you are running 5000meters or 50 miles. Runners should support other runners as athletes, life time exercisers, and as the people that are leading America into health.
DK is the Michael Jordan of distance running. Like it or not. The man ran 350 miles. You top that and I'll drive to your home town and crown you king. Until then, stop the hate.